Jombang, en.SERU.co.id – The 35th Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Congress in Jombang, East Java, has determined the leadership of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) for the 2026-2031 period. KH Miftachul Akhyar has again been entrusted as Rais Aam of PBNU, while KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz or Gus Kikin has been elected as General Chairman of PBNU. Both were appointed through the Ahlul Halli wal Aqdi (AHWA) mechanism, which has become the new system for electing PBNU leaders.
KH Miftachul Akhyar was appointed as Rais Aam of PBNU through the Ahlul Halli wal Aqdi (AHWA) mechanism. The appointment was made after nine kiai selected as AHWA members held a closed deliberation to determine the Rais Aam of PBNU for the 2026-2031 period.
“The results of the AHWA session on the Rais Aam of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board for the 2026-2031 term of service. First, KH Miftachul Akhyar as Rais Aam of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board for the 2026-2031 term of service,” the decision stated in the plenary session.
Miftachul Akhyar is not a new figure in the highest leadership ranks of PBNU. He previously served as Rais Aam of PBNU for the 2021-2026 period. He has again received the mandate to lead the ranks of PBNU ulama for the next five years.
Gus Kikin Elected as PBNU General Chairman
In addition to determining the Rais Aam, the 35th NU Congress also produced the General Chairman of PBNU for the 2026-2031 period. KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz or Gus Kikin was elected through the new mechanism involving AHWA.
Gus Kikin previously obtained the highest number of votes in the process of shortlisting candidates for General Chairman of PBNU. In the vote conducted by congress participants, Gus Kikin received 472 votes.
The four other candidates who entered the top five were KH Zulfa Mustofa with 262 votes, KH Abdussalam Sochib with 261 votes, then KH Yahya Cholil Staquf with 258 votes and KH Abdul Ghofar Rozin with 155 votes. The five names were then submitted to the AHWA members to determine the General Chairman of PBNU for the 2026-2031 period.
“AHWA decided by consensus to choose KH Abdul Hakim, commonly known as Gus Kikin, as General Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board for the 2026-2031 term of service,” said KH Anwar Iskandar when reading the results of the plenary session of the 35th NU Congress in Jombang, East Java, on Monday, August 31, 2026.
With that decision, the PBNU leadership for the 2026-2031 period now consists of KH Miftachul Akhyar as Rais Aam and KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz or Gus Kikin as General Chairman.
Election Mechanism Changed
The election of PBNU leaders at the 35th NU Congress took place with a different mechanism compared to previous congresses. The change was agreed through Plenary Session III of the 35th NU Congress.
Deputy Chairman of the Organizational Commission of the 35th NU Congress, Asrorun Niam Sholeh, said the change in mechanism was first discussed in the Organizational Commission before being decided in the plenary session.
“The decision was discussed by the Organizational Commission. It was then continued with a vote on whether to use the direct model or the model through AHWA. The majority of participants, numbering 401 votes, wanted the change,” he said.
In the new mechanism, congress participants first carry out a shortlisting of candidates for General Chairman of PBNU. The five names with the highest number of votes are then submitted to AHWA to determine the elected General Chairman.
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Nine Kiai as AHWA Members
Before carrying out that mandate, nine AHWA members were selected from a number of ulama proposed by participants of the 35th NU Congress. From the 34 names submitted, nine kiai obtained the highest number of votes and were then appointed as AHWA members.
Here are the nine AHWA members with the highest vote totals:
- KH Nurul Huda Jazuli — 485 votes
- TGK KH Nuruzzahri Yahya — 477 votes
- AG Dr KH Baharuddin HS — 392 votes
- KH Miftakhul Akhyar — 350 votes
- KH Afifuddin Muhajir — 339 votes
- KH Anwar Iskandar — 326 votes
- KH Anwar Manshur — 303 votes
- Prof Dr KH Said Aqil Siradj — 273 votes
- Dr KH Abun Bunyamin — 268 votes
The 35th NU Congress is next scheduled to be closed on Monday, August 31, 2026. President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to attend the closing of the congress in Jombang. (aan/mzm)
Indonesian Version:
KH Miftachul Akhyar Kembali Jadi Rais Aam, Gus Kikin Terpilih Ketum PBNU 2026-2031
